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Trains Are Gone on the Octoraro Branch, But Relics of the Railroad Age Remain

Posted on October 9, 2013January 21, 2023 by admin

Trains on the old Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Railroad didn’t go far and they didn’t go fast on the line that twisted and turned its way through some of the most scenic parts of Cecil County.  Beginning on the state line at Sylmar, the rails passed through valleys, alongside creeks, and through granite hills until the junction of mainline, the Columbia and Port Deposit Road, was reached.  On a trip through this attractive area today, rusting iron bridges, abandoned right-of-ways, and other relics of the railroad-age remain.

A rusting abandoned bridge carries the rails of the P. B & C. Railroad across the Octoraro Creek outside Rowlandsville.  The Port Deposit & Columbia Bridge is seen in the background.
A rusting abandoned bridge carries the rails of the P. B & C. Railroad across the Octoraro Creek outside Rowlandsville. The Port Deposit & Columbia Bridge is seen in the background.

0 thoughts on “Trains Are Gone on the Octoraro Branch, But Relics of the Railroad Age Remain”

  1. Milford Sprecher says:
    March 11, 2014 at 10:19 am

    A relative used to take the train from Liberty Grove into Baltimore, if you can believe that. That must have been quite the trip back then. I have a photograph of the train stopping in Liberty Grove.

    Reply
    1. Mike Dixon says:
      March 12, 2014 at 8:03 am

      Thanks for sharing that Milford. Scan you photo sometime and share it on FB. That would be great to see.

      Reply

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